The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, fellow vocalist Fred Schneider, drummer (and later guitarist) Keith Strickland, and guitarist Ricky Wilson (Cindy's older brother) formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. They shared a passion for mixing and matching older styles with a partying, good-time public image, which set them apart from many staid 70s contemporaries.
Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider. Aside from their vocals, the band also had a unique New Wave sound that was a combination of 50s and 60s dance music and surf rock, and the unusual guitar-string tunings utilized by Ricky Wilson. Although a clear part of said movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave groups, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synthesizer effects. The B-52's created a quirky dance vibe that became very popular and their tours have been successful for decades.
Website= http://theb52s.com/
Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland
The B-52's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Witch-doctors are screaming
Nymphs are dreaming
This girl's lost someone
Who is that someone
She's leaving
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Hot latitudes, cool attitudes
She's leaving
Moon in her mirror
Chasing northern lights
She goes, ahh
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Remember wherever you go
There you are
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
The B-52's's "The Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland" is a song that tells the story of a girl from Ipanema who travels to Greenland after experiencing the loss of someone or something. The song begins with the sound of witch-doctors screaming, which sets an eerie tone for the rest of the song. The use of the word "witch-doctors" suggests a connection with tribal cultures and their traditional practices, perhaps implying that the girl from Ipanema is exploring new worlds and cultures.
The lyrics continue with the idea of "nymphs dreaming," which suggests a world of fantasy and magic. The line "this girl's lost someone" implies that the girl has experienced a loss, and the following line "who is that someone she's leaving?" suggests that she's looking for something or someone new. The song then mentions "hot latitudes, cool attitudes," which could refer to the difference in climate and culture between Brazil and Greenland.
The girl is excited about her journey, as she has the moon in her mirror and is chasing the northern lights. The repeating line "Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland" emphasizes the excitement of the girl's journey and hints at the theme of searching for something new and exciting. The song ends with the words "remember wherever you go there you are," reminding us that even when we travel to new places and experience new things, we cannot escape our true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl from Ipanema goes to Greenland
A girl from sunny Ipanema, Brazil, is now traveling to the frozen lands of Greenland
Witch-doctors are screaming
The tribal leaders in Ipanema are disturbed by the girl's departure
Nymphs are dreaming
The supernatural beings in Ipanema are having fantasy-filled dreams about the girl's journey
This girl's lost someone
The girl has experienced a recent loss, perhaps someone close to her or a sense of direction
Who is that someone
The people of Ipanema are curious about the identity of the girl's missing person
She's leaving
The girl is departing, saying goodbye to her former life in Ipanema
Hot latitudes, cool attitudes
Ipanema's tropical climate and relaxed culture contrast with the icy conditions of Greenland
Moon in her mirror
The girl is driving at night and sees the moon reflected in her car's mirror
Chasing northern lights
The girl is in pursuit of the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis in Greenland
She goes, ahh
The girl continues on her journey with a sense of wonder and awe
Remember wherever you go
A message to the girl to keep in mind that wherever she travels, she will always be herself
There you are
A reminder that one's identity and character remain constant, regardless of location
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cynthia Wilson, Ricky Wilson, Catherine Pierson, Frederick Schneider, Julian Stickland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
makusmati
This song was completely ahead of its time when it came out. That house groove and delicious bass riff gives it instant appeal without losing the quirkiness we love this band for.
TCM
I think you are probably really right, but I kind of need to go back in time in my foggy brain.
Mo Vetta
Absolutely correct. I'm surprised more people don't know about this song. I put it on in my car and sing my brains out with Kate and Cindy.
royal nass
agree
The Pancake Reviewer
@Mo Vetta only Cindy sings this song.
cornbreadthedog
LOVED this song as a teenager in high school back in 1986! STILL DO! My favorite B-52'S song of all time!
Aaron Beauchamp
I remember when "Bouncing off the satellites" came out. Was never a big B-52's fan, but bought it on a lark and after hearing this song, the very first song on the cassette, I fell in love with the B-52's immediately. Simply one of the coolest songs they've ever done......especially when you crank it full blast on your car stereo, driving through the countryside at night.
toyoscio
lol Summer of Love is the very first song. It's 35th birthday is Sept 8 ot this year, ironically one month after the 35th birthday of Transformers the Movie
Hamid Samadani
Dare you to listen to it with headphones and not dance
Infinite Sky
I love this band, they're so open and free, they're a bunch of weirdos and goofballs and not afraid to flaunt it! More power to them!